NCAA reverses decision on Shabazz Muhammad

The NCAA has reversed their decision regarding UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad and has declared him eligible as of today. In a statement the governing body of US collegiate athletics stated that they have agreed to terms with the Muhammad family and UCLA to resolve the matter. That resolution involves as three-game suspension (10% of the season) and to repay what the NCAA has deemed as ‘impermissible benefits’. Since Muhammad has already sat out of the Bruins first three games of the 2012-13 season, he is cleared to suit up on Monday against Georgetown at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn.

The NCAA’s statement follows:

The NCAA and UCLA have resolved the eligibility case of Shabazz Muhammad. UCLA acknowledged amateurism violations occurred and asked the NCAA on Friday afternoon to reinstate Muhammad. The university required the student-athlete to miss 10 percent of the season (three games) and repay approximately $1,600 in impermissible benefits. The NCAA agreed the actions taken by the university were sufficient. Because Muhammad has already sat out three games, he is now eligible to compete.

According to the facts of the case, which were agreed upon by the university and the NCAA staff, Muhammad accepted travel and lodging during unofficial visits to member schools. NCAA rules, which member schools create, state that student-athletes cannot receive benefits based on their athletic ability. NCAA amateurism rules are in place so that when student-athletes step onto the court, they are competing against other student-athletes who have met the same standards.

When a school discovers an NCAA rules violation has occurred, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may request the student-athlete’s eligibility be reinstated. The NCAA staff reviews each student-athlete reinstatement request individually based on its own merits and set of specific facts.

The decision has been cause for much debate around college basketball circles and has even prompted an impromptu ‘protest’ by UCLA freshmen Kyle Anderson, Tony Parker and Jordan Adams, who work ‘Free Shabazz Muhammad’ shirts during warm-ups prior to UCLA’s season opener on Nov. 9th. Even Flea, the well known guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, wore a blue t-shirt with the same words hand-written on it while he played the National Anthem prior to the game. Bruins coach Ben Howland wasn’t thrilled with the shirts and said it won’t happen again, but he stopped short of admonishing the frosh trio.

Muhammad was one of the highest rated high school recruits in the class of 2012 and was the MVP of the 2012 McDonald’s All-American Game.